System and method for controlling free phone calls through an institutional phone system

Abstract

A method of controlling free phone calls placed from within a secured premises through an institutional phone system generally includes assigning a unique access identifier to an individual caller upon entry into the secured premises; receiving a destination number from the individual caller within the secured premises, the destination number being associated with a telephone located outside the secured premises; determining if the destination number is a per se free number, and, if the destination number is not determined to be a per se free number: receiving the unique access identifier from the individual caller; validating the unique access identifier; and, if the unique access identifier is valid, processing a telephone call to the destination number.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]a. Field of the Invention[0002]The instant invention relates generally to telecommunication services that are provided through an institutional phone system, such as the phone system in a correctional institution. In particular, the instant invention relates to a system and method for managing and monitoring free phone calls placed through an institutional phone system.[0003]b. Background Art[0004]In the correctional industry, inmate phone calls are often controlled through sophisticated call processing equipment. The call processing equipment controls various aspects of the use of the telephone in order to meet a variety of competing concerns including security, accessibility, and revenue generation. One objective of an inmate telephone system is to maximize the security of the system and to also maximize the revenue produced by the system while providing the inmate with accessibility to reasonable telecommunication services as authorized by the ins...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]It is an object of the invention disclosed herein to improve the balance between security, revenue, and accessibility in connection with free calls made using an institutional telephone system.

[0020]The present invention advantageously provides functionality beyond the functionality provided by many inmate phone providers. The invention disclosed herein provides a method to control the number of free calls made by an inmate that is awaiting processing in the phone system. In addition, the present invention advantageously provides a mechanism for investigators to identify the inmate participating in a free call for purposes of analysis and investigation. The present invention thereby addresses the shortcomings of existing inmate phone systems, leading to increased security and revenue, without adversely impacting the reasonable access of an incarcerated individual to telecommunications services.

Problems solved by technology

This substantially unrestricted access, however, negatively impacts security and revenue.

In most institutions, it is not feasible for an officer to provide this level of control, as the officers are fully tasked with processing inmates and maintaining physical security of the intake area.

Further, because the inmate phone provider is typically responsible for absorbing the operating cost of carrying the free booking calls, institutional managers (e.g., superintendents and wardens) are often unwilling to commit officer resources to provide physical control over the free phones even if resources are otherwise sufficient to do so.

As a result, both the inmate phone provider and the institution lose significant revenue as inmates make unrestricted free phone calls while waiting to be processed.

Less measurable are the negative effects that uncontrolled access to inmate calling services has on security.

Further, without the use of some form of authentication or identification on a free phone call, investigators lose the ability to utilize the investigative tools discussed above (e.g., searching call recordings, analyzing call details of a specific inmate, discovering relationships between inmates and called telephone numbers), and many other investigative capabilities.

Images